Hilary Duff, 38, says becoming a mother changed how she views her career and life goals.
On Monday’s episode of the “On Purpose” podcast, the former Disney star spoke about navigating the pressures of fame and success at a young age.
Even though she always felt “pretty confident” growing up, Duff said there were moments she experienced insecurities that came with being a teenager and growing into early adulthood.
“On top of it, I was dealing with people commenting on my body at a young age, and starting to get photographed, and people asking you how many times you weigh yourself,” Duff told podcast host Jay Shetty.
“I definitely struggled for a little while there, just trying to fit a certain mold and have control over something in my life,” Duff said.
Thankfully, she said, that period of self-doubt was “pretty short-lived.”
Over time, major life changes — like becoming a parent — naturally changed her priorities.
Duff shares one son with her ex, Mike Comrie, and three daughters with her husband, Matthew Koma.
Her responsibilities as a mother were far more important than worrying about what others thought of her, Duff said.
“I think having success at such a young age makes making work choices a little harder because there’s a pressure of a level of success,” Duff said.
“And I think once I did have kids and, you know, my phone wasn’t ringing as much, and I wasn’t able to show up to work as much and say yes as often, I ended up just saying no a whole bunch — and not being worried about sitting still,” she said.
Duff added that she was able to step back from the pressure to chase her next career opportunity.
“A lot of great things came from that decision. And a lot of confidence came from that decision,” she said.
Duff isn’t the only celebrity who has spoken about how parenthood has changed them.
Jennifer Lawrence, a mother of two, said that having kids changed her “creatively.”
“I didn’t know that I could feel so much, and my job has a lot to do with emotion. It’s almost like feeling a blister or something — like, so sensitive,” she said.
Ilana Glazer said parenting a toddler taught her to let go of control and slow down.
“When you have kids, they’re not a plan to be executed. They’re little magical human beings who need support,” she said.
